Fiu Head Committed To Broward

HOLLYWOOD -- Florida International University`s president said on Thursday that budget slashing in Tallahassee might hinder plans to expand the school`s programs in Broward County.

But Modesto ``Mitch`` Maidique told a group of Broward business leaders that he will continue an aggressive effort to offer more courses to Broward residents, despite early indications that the school could receive considerably less than it requested in state funds for 1987-1988.

Maidique made his comments at a luncheon session of the Broward Forum, a non- partisan political club that meets once a month to discuss timely issues in the community.

Florida International in Miami and Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton and the Broward County Library have submitted a joint funding request for $6.45 million to the Legislature, but Gov. Bob Martinez already has proposed cutting the request to $1.5 million, Maidique said.

Despite the governor`s proposal, Maidique is confident that he will be able to enhance FIU`s presence in Broward next year.

FIU officials would like to spend $750,000 to $800,000 to expand course offerings in Broward County. Currently the university offers 85 classes at Davie`s educational complex, with most of its programs taught at campuses in north and west Dade.